What To Look For When Buying Your First Home

When this guest post first landed in my email inbox, I dismissed it as “not relevant” to me. At this point in life, a struggling MA student in London, it feels like I’ll be renting forever. However, I’m sure that isn’t the case for a lot of you, and this has some pretty good advice. Lots of my blogger freinds have been buying their first homes recently, so it’s quite topical! Some of this advice is also applicable for renting; I wish I checked the windows in this flat before we moved in, because some of them don’t close properly, so some nights are freezing. On a side note, if you want to see how I decorated our new flat, check out this blog post.

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After graduation, many young people turn to buying a home. You want to settle down and start a family. This is an exciting time in your life and one you should be allowing yourself to enjoy, even though it may seem stressful.

Buying a house is a big deal. It’s a good idea to speak with family and friends and work with a realtor. You’ll want to come prepared ready to ask the right questions and take notes. This is a large investment, and you want to make sure you’re comfortable with it before putting any money down. See what to look for when buying your first home.

Location

Location is very important. Even more so than the style of home you want, where you’re settling down is key to a successful future. Check out the neighbourhood, schools and observe the amount of people you see walking around. If you’re someone who likes to walk to do your errands, then make sure there are stores in the area. An ideal location may affect the cost and size of the home. Decide what’s more important to you and what you’re willing to give up to get what you want.

Roof

Checking out the roof isn’t going to be the first thought that jumps into your mind. However, having a solid roof is important for keeping you safe and dry and saving you money. An old roof that needs to be replaced is a big cost that you’re going to have to work into your expenses. This is one of those questions you want to ask onsite and get the inspector’s opinion on the matter. They’ll be able to shed some light on the topic and tell you if there are any issues.

Windows

Another aspect of the home that you want to check out closely are the windows. Ask how old they are and if they contain any special features. There are some that’ll save you on heat and help keep out any drafts. You won’t be able to tell much from looking at the windows, so get the report from the owners and have the inspector guide you with his recommendation. They’re also expensive, and you’ll need money set aside, should you need to replace them.

Kitchen & Bathrooms

Be picky about the kitchen and bathrooms, unless you’re someone who enjoys DIY projects. It’s nice to have a kitchen and bathrooms that are already updated and look nice. Otherwise, you’re probably going to be spending a lot of time and money putting extra work into making them look presentable. Tour several houses so you can get a feel for what’s out there and the latest kitchen and bathroom trends. These are areas of the home where you’ll be spending lots of time, so it makes sense that you want them attractive.

Conclusion

Enjoy your time house hunting and exploring your options. Come prepared to ask the right questions to make it a less stressful process. This is what to look for when buying your first home.

Have you bought your first home? Let me know your tips!

Thanks for reading,

*This is a contributed guest post.